Slightly Stoopid 12.27.2013 The Wellmont Theater

Words by Martin Halo | Photos by David Turcotte

The pot-wielding San Diego based reggae ska outfit, Slightly Stoopid, descended upon the Wellmont Theater in Montclair for the first time in their tenure and brought the stoners out of the woodwork. Joined by Quincy Mumford and Passafire, loose hips and hazy eyes filled the general admission floor as billowing smoke filled the rafters. The vibe at the Wellmont was drastically different from any billing since Live Nation took over the room in September of 2013. The party extended all the way to the staff and crew who were laid back in the vibe of Stoopid’s breezy SoCal expenditures.

The band recently released a live LP, recorded at Bob Weir’s TRI Studios in San Rafael, CA [you can read our interview with RyMo here], and will be back in the studio this Spring. The set included band classics as well as new material.

The dynamic of the show was a mash of midnight swagger with a splash of breakout mosh-pit punk. Miles Doughty and Kyle McDonald alternated on vocals as crowd surfers reached for the stage! Backed by horns, keys and kongas the echoing vocals served as a mellow whisper to feet-burning rhythms.

The Slightly Stoopid holiday run kept the band on the freezing East Coast through NYE. Upcoming shows at the Wellmont Theater includes Cheap Trick on February 15 and Bob Weir & Ratdog on the 20th. In addition, Lewis Black will be in town on April 5. Tickets can be purchased at www.thewellmonttheater.com.